Synergistic effect of low dose Cyclosporine A and human interleukin 10 overexpression on acute rejection in rat lung allotransplantation

Objective: Electroporation mediated transfer of plasmid DNA into peripheral muscle results in high transfection efficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gene transfer of human IL-10 (hIL-10) into the tibialis anterior muscle (MTA) in combination with low dose Cyclosporine A (CsA) on acute rejection of lung allografts in the rat. Methods: Lung allotransplantation was performed from male BN donor to male Fisher F344 rats. Gene transfer was achieved by intramuscular injection into the MTA of the recipient followed by electroporation (4×20 ms impulses at 200 V/cm) 24 h prior to the transplantation. Group A (n=5) received CsA (2.5 mg/kg bw ip) for 5 days post-transplant and group B (n=5) 2.5 μg of PCIK hIL-10 (plasmid expression vector containing human CMV immediate early gene promoter and enhancer) and a low dose CsA (2.5 mg/kg bw i.p.). Graft function was assessed by blood gas at day 5 after exclusion of the native lung. Animals were sacrificed and blood was drawn to measure serum hIL-10 levels (ELISA) and tissue was sampled for histological grading of rejection. Results: Local expression of hIL-10 was confirmed at the mRNA level by in situ hybridization. All group A control animals showed severe signs of rejection. At day 5 all grafts in group B showed good gas exchange mean PaO2 233±123 mmHg, vs 44±8 mmHg in group A. Histological examination revealed moderate to severe rejection in all animals in group A (IIIB, ISHLT) in contrast to low moderate rejection in group B (II–IIIA). hIL-10 serum levels on day 5 were 14±7 pg/ml in group B vs. 0 in group A. Conclusions: Electroporation mediated hIL-10 overexpression in a peripheral muscle of the recipient in combination with low dose CsA reduces acute rejection in this model of rat lung allotransplantation.     

Preliminary evaluation of vitiligo using in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is the most common pigmentary disorder with a global incidence from 0.1% to 2% in different geographical areas. Histopathology and histochemistry have shown the reduction of melanocytes in achromic patches, but microscopic changes of lesional and non-lesional skin are still not completely understood. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), based on the different light reflectance index of cutaneous structures, allowed in vivo, en face microscopic evaluation of superficial skin layers with a resolution similar to skin histology. AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate RCM features of lesional and non-lesional skin of vitiligo patients. Moreover, re-pigmented areas were taken into consideration in order to evaluate melanocyte response to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients of different phototypes affected by active non-segmental vitiligo and 10 controls were enrolled in the study. In vivo skin imaging was done using a commercially available RCM (Lucid, Vivascope 1500. Re-pigmented areas from 6 to 16 patients (after UVB narrow-band therapy) were also examined. RESULTS: Vitiligo lesions showed the disappearance of the bright rings normally seen at the dermo-epidermal junction. Moreover, non-lesional skin of vitiligo patients showed unexpected changes as the presence of half-rings or scalloped border-like features of the bright papillary rings. In re-pigmented areas after UVB narrow band therapy, the presence of activated, dendritic melanocytes was seen. CONCLUSIONS: Considering our results, and following further studies, RCM clinical applications could be used in the therapeutic monitoring and evaluation of the evolution of vitiligo.     

In vitro/in vivo correlation of prolonged release dosage forms containing diltiazem HCl

Six preparations were considered: three multiple unit dosage forms (micropellets in capsules) (D, E and G) and one matrix tablet (B) were experimental prolonged release formulations, two non-disintegrating tablets (A and C) were commercial products. The in vitro dissolution behaviour of the differing formulations was investigated using the USP XXII paddle apparatus. The in vivo study was effected on a panel of 12 healthy volunteers. The two commercial tablets (A and C) showed mean dissolution time (MDT) of 1.34 and 1.44 h and t_d of 91 and 92 min, respectively; for prolonged release formulations (B, E, D, and G) MDT ranged between 2.28 and 4.23 h and t_d between 149 and 291 min. The mean residence time (MRT) was 8.68 and 6.47 h for tablets A and C, respectively; it ranged between 9.62 and 10.24 h for the multiple unit formulations E, D, and G and was 11.27 h for matrix B. Formulation B also showed the higher apparent elimination half-life t_1/2 (7.12 h), while apparent t_1/2 for all the other formulations were very similar, ranging between 5.04 and 5.28 h. High variability between the various formulations was found for C_max and AUC values, and no relationships could be established with the type of formulation. An in vitro/in vivo correlation was found for all the formulations examined on the basis of analogous parameters (MDT and MRT); (r = 0.83, p <0.05). In a few cases the Wagner-Nelson deconvolution method was applied to individual plasma level versus time curves and the corresponding absorption curves were obtained. In these cases the in vitro/in vivo correlation was tested on the basis of the comparison of the in vivo absorption curves with the in vitro dissolution profiles. This was accomplished using the ‘Levy's plot’ (per cent released versus per cent absorbed) approach and provided further support for the correlation found.     

Splicing of the mitochondrial group-II intron rl1: conserved intron-exon interactions diminish splicing efficiency

The mitochondrial intron rI1 is a self-splicing group-II intron of algal mitochondria that can be transferred into chloroplasts from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for in vivo investigations (Herdenberger et al. 1994). Thus, rI1 is a suitable system to compare in vitro and in vivo RNA processing. Interestingly, rI1 shows correct RNA splicing, although typical cis-acting exon-sequences (IBS2, δ) of group-II introns are lacking. In order to examine the effect of these exon-intron interactions on splicing, we introduced the endogenous mitochondrial IBS2 sequence in order to produce optimal IBS2-EBS2 base pairing. In addition, the first nucleotide of the 3′exon (δ′) was substituted to create an optimal δ-δ′ interaction. Neither of the two mutations, nor a combination of both, had any effect on the precision of the splice-site selection. Unexpectedly, introduction of IBS2 led to a reduction in the efficiency of the second splicing step in vitro but not in vivo. These findings lead us to conclude that trans-acting factors are present in vivo to optimize splicing efficiency. The possibility is discussed that these factors may, for example, stabilize tertiary intron structures that are a prerequisite for correct RNA processing. Furthermore, our data indicate that similar trans-acting factors promote correct intron splicing in chloroplasts and mitochondria. Received: 18 October / 4 December 1997     

Effects of MPP+ on catecholamine levels in adrenal glands and heart of rats

The effects of MPP⁺ (2.5–20 mg/kg) on the adrenal glands and heart were investigated in rats. At various periods after s.c. drug administration the rats were decapitated and tissue catecholamine levels were determined by means of HPLC with electrochemical detection. Adrenal dopamine (DA) levels were reduced at 2–8 h after MPP⁺ administration, but this decrease was followed by an elevation after 16 h and return to the control values after one week. Three successive injections of MPP⁺ caused a statistically significant elevation in adrenal DA, one day, with a tendency to elevation four and seven days after the last injection, whereas a severe (up to 96%) decrease in heart noradrenaline (NA) was found one day after the last injection. Seven days after the last injection a 50% depletion of NA in the heart was still observed. Pretreatment with GBR 12909 (30 mg/kg, 4 h) blocked the MPP⁺ (10 mg/kg, 2 h) induced reduction of adrenal DA levels, but at the same time GBR 12909 failed to block the effects of MPP⁺ in the heart. One day after three successive daily injections of MPP⁺ (10 mg/kg each), the DA-uptake inhibitor GBR 12909 (30 mg/kg, 6 h) could still induce an increase in adrenal DA.MPP⁺ appears to lack persistent cytotoxic action in the adrenal medulla but rather to cause a transient inhibition of DA synthesis followed by a compensatory stimulation. The inhibition can be blocked by specific inhibitor of the DA-uptake mechanism, suggesting a direct effect of MPP⁺ taken up by adrenomedullary cells. The data obtained so far do not suggest any involvement of peripheral dopaminergic nerves in the action of MPP⁺ on the adrenal medulla. The long-lasting depletion of the heart NA, however, suggests a lesion of peripheral noradrenergic nerves.Part of this work was presented at 6th International Symposium on Chromaffin Cell Biology, Marburg, Germany, 18–23 August 1991 Correspondence to: M. Kujacic at the above address     

c-myc mRNA在成釉细胞瘤中的表达

目的:研究成釉细胞瘤(AB)和牙源性角化囊肿(OKC)中c-mycmRNA的表达,探讨c-myc在AB和OKC中的发生、发展及其生物学意义。方法:使用原位杂交法检测54例AB、16例OKC和7例口腔正常黏膜(NOM)组织中c-mycmRNA的表达,并将AB按原发、复发、恶变分组,结果使用χ2检验进行统计分析。结果:AB、OKC及NOM组织中c-mycmRNA的阳性表达率分别为81.5%(44/54)、75.0%(12/16)和14.3%(1/7),3组比较有显著性差异(χ2=15.488,P<0.05)。原发组AB中c-mycmRNA的阳性表达率为71.0%,复发组为94.7%,恶变组为100.0%,伴随原发、复发、恶变,差异有显著性(χ2=16.912,P﹤0.05)。结论:c-myc表达在AB的发生、发展中有重要作用;c-mycmRNA的表达与AB的临床生物学行为有关,伴随其生物学行为变化,c-mycmRNA表达增强;提示c-myc有可能成为评价预后的有效指标。     

LRIG1下调原代星形细胞瘤细胞增殖的机制

目的观察LRIGl蛋白表达对表皮生长因子（EGF）促肿瘤细胞增殖作用的影响，探讨LRIGl抑制肿瘤细胞增殖的机制。方法原代培养19例星形细胞瘤细胞，用原位杂交检测LRIGl的表达，用噻唑蓝（MTT）法观察EGF对培养细胞的促增殖作用，并分析培养细胞LRIGl表达和EGF干预后的细胞生长率的关系。结果（75．3±11．6）％的培养细胞表达LRIGl蛋白；EGF促进培养细胞增殖（38．0±14．8）％，EGF促细胞增殖的细胞生长率与LRIGl表达程度呈负相关。结论LRIGl蛋白可能通过抑制EGF—EGFR信号抑制肿瘤细胞的增殖。     

肿瘤转移抑制基因KAI1在喉鳞状细胞癌中表达的研究

目的　探讨肿瘤转移抑制基因KAI1在喉鳞状细胞癌 (简称鳞癌 )中的表达及其与之发生、发展的关系。方法　采用原位杂交方法检测 84例原发性喉鳞癌 (primarylaryngealsquamouscellcarcinoma ,PLSCC)、2 7例喉癌前病变不典型增生 (laryngealprecancerouslesion ,LPL)、10例声带息肉(vocalcordpolyp ,VCP)和 10例正常喉黏膜 (normallaryngealtissues ,NLT)石蜡标本组织细胞中KAI1mRNA的表达。结果　NLT、VCP、LPL和PLSCC 4种组织中KAI1阳性表达的积分吸光度值 ( x±s)分别为 (136 2 0 6 8± 36 6 75 5 )、(1336 74 5± 4 2 85 8 5 )、(90 36 8 8± 2 5 70 1 9)和 (6 7880 6± 2 8189 5 ) ,其中NLT组和VCP组之间差异无显著性 (t=0 14 2 ,P >0 0 5 ) ,NLT组和LPL组之间差异有显著性 (t =4 2 81,P <0 0 1) ;PLSCC组中KAI1表达普遍下调 ,且病理分化G1 2组阳性表达水平高于G3组 ;T1 2病变组高于T3 4组 ;颈淋巴结NO组高于N1及N1以上组 ;临床Ⅰ Ⅱ期组高于临床Ⅲ Ⅳ期组 (P值均 <0 0 1)。KAI1表达与患者性别无关 (P >0 0 5 )。结论　KAI1低表达在喉鳞癌的发生、发展中可能起着重要作用 ,可望作为喉鳞癌早期诊断、评估肿瘤细胞侵袭转移潜能及患者病程发展阶段的指标之一。     

脑肿瘤干细胞体外分化过程中的回逆现象分析

目的探讨脑肿瘤干细胞（BTSCs）体外分化过程中的回逆现象，为研究其分化抑制机制奠定基础。方法利用CD133免疫磁珠筛选系统，从肿瘤组织中分离获得的CD133^＋细胞（BTSCs）分成4组进行培养：（1）含10％胎牛血清（FCS）；（2）10％FCS＋丙戊酸钠注射液（VPA）；（3）无FCS＋生长因子；（4）无FCS＋生长因子＋VPA。取不同时间点上的细胞，相差显微镜观察其形态变化：流式细胞术检测与分化相关的标志物、细胞周期和DNA倍体变化；利用免疫激光共聚焦分析与分化相关标志物的共表达情况。结果无FCS条件下培养的BTSCs呈悬浮球状生长，高表达CD133和巢蛋白（nestin），不表达胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）和β-微管蛋白Ⅲ（β-TubulinⅢ）。G0／G1期细胞占大多数，G2／M期细胞接近0％，DNA都是异倍体，对VPA反应不敏感。含FCS培养的原本悬浮的细胞约4h开始贴壁。均呈圆形。此后逐渐向多形性分化，至7d时分化的细胞部分又返回至圆形。至10d-21d时，有的还能重新恢复球形，并呈悬浮生长。培养3d、7d、10d和21d时，CD133、nestin阳性细胞数先降后升，GFAP^＋和β-TubulinⅢ^＋细胞数始终处于较低水平。含FCS培养液中加入VPA。细胞形态上未见上述的回逆现象，CD133和nestin表达的先降后升现象消失，GFAP和β-TubulinⅢ在第7天以后表达明显升高，但极大部分细胞共表达nestin。而神经干细胞（NSCs）在含FCS培养至10d时，即以GFAP和β-TubulinⅢ表达为主，未见CD133^＋细胞。此外，含血清培养时BTSCs仍以异倍体为主。含少量的G2／M期细胞，加VPA诱导后细胞周期和DNA倍体变化不明显。结论BTSCs在含血清条件下培养出现的多向分化表型不稳定，时有去分化所导致的回逆。加入诱导分化剂VPA培养，虽然能阻止回逆现象出现，并有代表星形胶质细胞和神经元标志物表达上升．但因其共表达nestin而仍属于未完全分化细胞，表明BTSCs分化始终处于受抑状态。